News
Oguta Community in Imo Abolishes Long-Standing Osu/Ohu Outcast System in Landmark Move
In a significant step against entrenched social discrimination, traditional leaders in Oguta, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, have formally abolished the age-long Osu (also referred to as Ohu) outcast system, a cultural practice that has marginalised generations of people through stigma and exclusion.
The abolition was proclaimed on November 3, 2025 (with some reports noting the public declaration on November 2), at the Oguta Civic Centre. Chief Nduka Oduenyi, the Ogana (spokesman/assistant) to the traditional ruler of Oguta, Eze Nnani Eze-Eyiche, made the announcement on behalf of the community’s leaders, elders, youths, and women who gathered for the event.
“This is a historic moment of renewal and unity for the Oguta community,” Oduenyi stated. “The long-standing Ohu caste system — a practice widely regarded as discriminatory and inconsistent with human dignity — no longer exists in Oguta going forward.
”The Osu/Ohu system, deeply rooted in parts of Igbo culture, has historically designated certain individuals and their descendants as outcasts, limiting their social interactions, marriages, and opportunities despite previous legislative efforts at state and regional levels to end it.
The development comes nearly four years after investigative journalist and author Ejiro Umukoro drew fresh national attention to the issue through her novel *Distortion*.
The book, which weaves together themes of mental health, infertility, grief, and systemic discrimination including the Osu caste system, sparked widespread conversations across Nigeria.
Umukoro’s advocacy went beyond the pages of the novel. Through a seven-month nationwide book tour featuring television appearances, radio interviews, and community outreach, she consistently highlighted the lived experiences of those affected by the system, helping to revive dormant discussions on the topic.
This community-led abolition in Oguta is seen by many as a concrete outcome of renewed advocacy efforts, including those by Umukoro and other human rights voices, building on earlier calls for reform. It marks one of the more visible public renunciations of the practice in recent years.
The move has been welcomed by observers as a positive step toward greater social inclusion and equality in the region, though broader eradication across Igbo land would require continued efforts by traditional institutions, government, and civil society.
News
Eko Electricity blames Lekki-Ajah power outages on feeders disruption
The following feeders are currently out of supply: Ibeju, Ajah Local 1, Medallion Data, Urban Prime, Main One, Maroko, Chevron, Oke-Ira, Ikate Express, Ilasan, NTDA 1, Eleko,” the company said.
Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDP) has announced a power outage across parts of Lagos, including Lekki, Ajah and Ibeju-Lekki, following a loss of supply affecting 12 feeders.
The affected feeders are Ibeju, Ajah Local 1, Medallion Data, Urban Prime, Main One, Maroko, Chevron, Oke-Ira, Ikate Express, Ilasan, NTDA 1 and Eleko.
In a notice to customers, EKEDP said the VGC, Oke-Ira and Agungi injection substations were also affected by the disruption.
The distribution company attributed the outage to a fault affecting electricity supply within the Lekki, Ajah and Ibeju-Lekki axis.
The following feeders are currently out of supply: Ibeju, Ajah Local 1, Medallion Data, Urban Prime, Main One, Maroko, Chevron, Oke-Ira, Ikate Express, Ilasan, NTDA 1, Eleko,” the company said.
EKEDP said it was working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to restore the affected transformer and reconnect all the impacted feeders.
News
IGP Disu Launches Nigeria Police Force Vigilant App, for Tracking Crimes
” The police cannot be everywhere at the same time, but through technology and partnership with the citizens, we can significantly expand our capability to prevent and respond to crimes,” he noted.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has launched the Nigeria Police Force Vigilant App as part of efforts to strengthen public engagement, internal communication and the fight against increasingly sophisticated crimes.
Disu also unveiled MTN Closed User Group (CUG) Network for strengthening communication among police commands, formations, divisions and specialised units nationwide.
Speaking during the launch ceremony in Abuja, IGP Disu said that the changing nature of crime and the speed at which information travels have made it necessary for the police to embrace technology.
The policing environment is changing rapidly. Crime is becoming more sophisticated. Information moves faster, and citizens increasingly expect public institutions to be accessible and respond to technology,”said Disu.
He explained that the Vigilant App was designed to improve communication between the police and members of the public by enhancing information sharing and citizen engagement.
The IGP urged Nigerians to use the platform responsibly to report suspicious activities, provide useful information and seek assistance when necessary .
Disu also charged officers managing the platform to operate with professionalism and integrity, stressing that information received through the system must be handled responsibly, investigated diligently and protected appropriately.
“The police cannot be everywhere at the same time, but through technology and partnership with the citizens, we can significantly expand our capability to prevent and respond to crimes,” he noted.
Disu observed that effective communication often determines the success of operations, emergency responses and investigations.
“In policing, information delayed can be information lost,” the IGP declared.
News
Edo Influential Politician, Daniel Orbih, dies at 64 •Obaseki mourns
Obaseki said Orbih’s contributions to Nigerian politics and the PDP remained significant, particularly during his years of service in Edo.
•Chief Daniel Osi Orbih
Chief Daniel Osi Orbih, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is dead, aged 64.
Orbih, known by his traditional title, the Kulukulu 1 of Ogoni Land and Oduma of Uzairue, reportedly died on Monday, 31st August 2026.
His death was confirmed in a statement issued by his family and signed by Francis Udukhomoi Orbih, Esq., on behalf of the Orbih family.
Orbih was born on the 27th of October, 1961, to Chief and Mrs M.C.K. Orbih of Ogbona in Etsako Central Local Government.
He ventured into politics in 1999, and was the deputy governorship candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP) in Edo State, describing Orbih as a prominent figure and influential voice in Edo politics.
Condolences
Former governor of Edo, Godwin Obaseki, lamented that Orbih ‘s death represents a significant loss to Edo.
Obaseki said Orbih’s contributions to Nigerian politics and the PDP remained significant, particularly during his years of service in Edo.
“For many years, he provided leadership to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State as its State Chairman and subsequently served as the PDP National Vice Chairman, South-South.
“Through these roles, he contributed significantly to the development of the party in the Edo State and Nigeria, ” he said.
He emphasised that the former PDP chairman’s death represented a significant loss to Edo State and Nigeria, while commiserating with his family, friends and political associates.
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